Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups has averaged 25 points and seven assists against the Hornets this series, along with 31 points in Game One. He is the clutch player the Nuggets needed.

And boy oh boy, the Nuggets have gotten a lot more from Billups than the Pistons have gotten from A.I. Just look at what happened to them. When we need a player to step up, Chauncey is there to save the day.

Defense

The Denver Nuggets have a great defense. They have averaged 10 steals a game, which ranks third amonst playoff teams—only behind the Jazz (you know what happened to them) and the Celtics, who have played seven more quarters than them.

The Nuggets have also given up an average of 83 points a game (giving up the third-fewest points in NBA Playoff history two nights ago). While scoring an average of 109 points a game, they have scored 100 points in every one of their games but one.

Points in the Paint

The Nuggets have outscored the Hornets in the paint in three of four games. When you've got Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Nene, and Chris Andersen, it's gonna be pretty easy to score in the paint.

**POINTS IN THE PAINT**
Game One: DEN 34, NO 26.
Game Two: DEN 42, NO 32.
Game Four: DEN 34, NO 18.
Game Five: DEN 48, NO 32

Rebounding

The Denver Nuggets rank third in rebounding amongst remaining playoff teams in the NBA, averaging 43 rebounds a game. The two teams they are behind (Boston and Chicago) have played seven more quarters than them, four of which have been overtimes.

If you some how get Denver to miss a shot, you better be quick on your feet. Because it is gonna be pretty tough to get the rebound.